Peter Read Miller/SI
Some have USC as the early favorite to win the BCS Championship next year. Of course, that’s assuming quarterback Mark Sanchez returns. He has yet to announce whether he will enter the draft.
That didn’t stop BetOnline.com from making the Trojans a 4-to-1 favorite to win it all. BCS champion Florida and runner-up Oklahoma are listed at 5-to-1 and 7-to-1, respectively, with Texas (8-to-1) and Ohio State (9-to-1) next.
Oddsmaker Stan Simmons says the odds are determined by several factors, from how a team finished the season to the number of starters returning to the schedule and recruiting class. Also taken into consideration is the public’s perception.
"USC is a very good team," Simmons said. "We all know they reload, and if Sanchez comes back they would probably be an even heavier favorite."
If I were a betting man, I’d say Sanchez will be suiting up on Sundays in 2009 after coming off the performance he had in the Rose Bowl.
In case you’re wondering, Notre Dame was listed at 25-to-1. The Fighting Irish whipped Hawaii 49-21 in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and have a favorable schedule.
"[They have] lots of five-star recruits coming next year," Simmons said. "They have the players. If there's any team that's kind of gonna put it together and Charlie Weis figures things out, Notre Dame could be the team that goes from the outhouse to the penthouse."
I wouldn't bet on that happening. Here is the list of BetOnline.com’s 2009 BCS Championship odds:
USC 4-to-1
Florida 5-1
Oklahoma 7-1
Texas 8-1
Ohio State 9-1
Florida State 15-1
Virginia Tech 15-1
Georgia 20-1
Miami ( Fla ) 20-1
LSU 20-1
Alabama 25-1
Notre Dame 25-1
Oregon 30-1
Penn State 30-1
Texas Tech 30-1
Nebraska 40-1
Georgia Tech 40-1
North Carolina 40-1
West Virginia 40-1
Illinois 50-1
Tennessee 50-1
Oklahoma State 60-1
Missouri 60-1
Utah 60-1
California 60-1
Wisconsin 60-1
Michigan 60-1
Iowa 75-1
Kansas 75-1
South Carolina 75-1
TCU 100-1
Arkansas 100-1
Michigan State 100-1
Cincinnati 100-1
Boston College 100-1
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Comments (239) Add A Comment
who exactly is coming back on defense for usc??
stevendungan
Vienna , VA
Total Comments (141)
Florida will return at least 10 starters on defense alone. Doesn't USC lose most of their defense? The preseason #1 will be Florida followed by Texas at #2.
KingFootball
Total Comments (2898)
Michigan is as likely as Wisconsin?
JAubin
Swansea, MA
Total Comments (1435)
nope. it's florida. usc has no one coming back on D.
JB: turned his swag…
Fair Lawn, NJ
Total Comments (1731)
I would save your money on either of those teams.
KingFootball
Total Comments (2898)
Iowa at 75-1, with Michigan/Tennesse/Illinois ahead of them???
Confucius.
City Of Evil, PI
Total Comments (6250)
What's your issue with this? Wisconsin got worse as the season progressed, becoming a miserable team. Meanwhile, Michigan underachieved greatly, but showed some promise. Both teams are mediocre, and should not be considered for the national championship for 2009, but I'd say they're pretty even.
bdunn19
Buchtel , OH
Total Comments (18)
USC has probably been the best team for the last 6 years. It is a shame that there isnt a playoff so Pete Carroll can be given the appropriate credit. And before I am flamed, I am a UCLA alum... don't have a rooting interest. The BCS feeds on east coast bias and THAT is the reason the Pac-10 should wake up and demand a playoff. Quit the popularity contests!
Big_Suede
Sacramento , CA
Total Comments (3)
When do these guys STOP with the USC lovefest ??
crimsonnation
Total Comments (38)
The east coast bias that put OU in the title game this year?
elfcrash
Woodstock, GA
Total Comments (29)
As soon as USC stops being the best team on the field, year after year.
DonAthos
Total Comments (107)
USC 4-1, I guess they take into account the fact they play ua, asu, uw, wsu, ucla, stanford, and notre dame each season, isn't that classified as seven wins before spring practice even starts?
sethgator
Tallahassee , FL
Total Comments (1134)
PLus, they have 2 early season tests that should REALLY prepare them for the SEC battles to follow...Charleston Southern and Troy.....
CRIMSONandCREAM
Orlando, FL
Total Comments (7436)
The reason nobody follows USC is because Los Angeles is such a SMALL media market...
CRIMSONandCREAM
Orlando, FL
Total Comments (7436)
As I understand it, the Pac-10 commish is one of the staunchest defenders of the BCS... hardly an "East Coast" thing. Of course, this year's BCS Coordinator is a defender of the BCS (though I don't doubt that once his tenure is up he, too, will begin to support a playoff--gotta do his job after all). As long as the BCS keeps bringing in the money for the BCS conferences/teams, they're not going to push (or be pushed) for a playoff. Sooo, boycott anyone? (How? don't attend any BCS games, don't watch them on TV or anywhere else, don't comment on them in blogs or articles or anywhere else... totally ignore all things BCS, especially with your purse or wallet. *That* is the only thing that will get their attention: no more money or lip service.)
GlennAllen
Richmond , VA
Total Comments (198)
SC will have a few of their guys back on defense however the offense will definitly be the star. They have many players that are going to be great on D. Pete will have a solid defense and he will have them ready for another run. Sanchez will return and the offense will dominate.
Pac10man
Total Comments (1)
Notre Lame as likely as Bama - please. I hope this site has plenty of cash on hand.
GatorBaitor
Total Comments (2263)
sethgator, How many Jr. College/High School/All-Female out of conference games does Florida (any SEC team name here) play next year?
Knightgun1
Abilene, TX
Total Comments (2)
4 of the first 50 players taken in the NFL draft this year came from last year's USC defense. Despite the significant loss of talent, they still managed to piece together a decent defense for this year.
Tribute to Troy
Avocadoville, CA
Total Comments (567)
Oklahoma or Ohio State winning a BCS bowl game might redirect peoples' attention a little. What are the chances?
Dead Money
Honolulu , HI
Total Comments (110)
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